One of the most widespread mathematical formulations applied to simulate the electromagnetic phenomena of coated conductor in the recent literature is the H-formulation. However, the only validation of the model has been indirect by using measurements taken from the applications, as measurements of the energy losses in ac fields, forces developed in levitation systems, or any other parameter related to a specific application. Direct validation of the calculation requires the observation of the local out-of-plane magnetic field over the surface of the sample, and it is only accessible under magneto-optical observations and, in a larger scale and better dynamic range, by the Hall scanning microscopy. We propose here the experimental validation of the H-formulation by comparing the simulated results with measurements made by a Hall probe mapping in a second-generation (2G) tape sample for several dc transported currents at 77 K. This paper presents a methodology to simulate the 2G tape by using only measured data obtained from a sample and its normalized J(B) experimental curves. Some boundary conditions that allow a faster convergence of the problem are investigated. Simulated results of the 2G tape modeled considering only the 1-mu m high-temperature superconductor (HTS) layer were compared with others that represent the most important layers of the coated conductor structure in the calculations. The simulated and measured results present a good agreement, proving that this model can calculate precisely the magnetic field and, hence, the current distribution in HTS samples.

In this study, the Voronoi tessellation method has been used to design novel bone like three dimension (3D) porous scaffolds. The Voronoi method has been processed with computer design software to obtain 3D virtual isotropic porous interconnected models, exactly matching the main histomorphometric indices of trabecular bone (trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number, bone volume to total volume ratio, bone surface to bone volume ratio, etc.). These bone like models have been further computed for mechanical (elastic modulus) and fluid mass transport (permeability) properties. The results show that the final properties of the scaffolds can be controlled during their microstructure and histomorphometric initial design stage. It is also shown that final properties can be tuned during the design stage to exactly match those of trabecular natural bone. Moreover, identical total porosity models can be designed with quite different specific bone surface area and thus, this specific microstructural feature can be used to favour cell adhesion, migration and, ultimately, new bone apposition (i.e. osteoconduction). Once the virtual models are fully characterized and optimized, these can be easily 3D printed by additive manufacturing and/or stereolitography technologies.
Statement of Significance
The significance of this article goes far beyond the specific objectives on which it is focussed. In fact, it shows, in a guided way, the entire novel process that can be followed to design graded porous implants, whatever its external shape and geometry, but internally tuned to the exact histomorphometric indices needed to match natural human tissues microstructures and, consequently, their mechanical and fluid properties, among others.
The significance is even more relevant nowadays thanks to the available new computing and design software that is easily linked to the 3D printing new technologies. It is this transversality, at the frontier of different disciplines, the main characteristic that gives this article a high scientific impact and interest to a broaden audience.

Since the second-generation (2G) superconducting wires started to be produced in a large scale almost a decade ago, the quality of the materials manufactured has been continually improved. Every year, the manufacturers present new materials with better electrical properties, increasing the critical current density, critical magnetic field, and the total length produced with continuous homogeneity. The mechanical properties of the coated conductor should be taken into account since electro-dynamical forces appear in working conditions as stress in the cooling and heating processes. In applications such as fault-current limiters, superconducting magnetic energy storage, transformers, electromagnets, motors, cables, etc., the consideration of them is mandatory to the project of those devices. In this context, this paper studies the electrical and mechanical properties of 12-mm 2G wires samples under torsion without axial tension. Critical current is measured as a function on the torsion angle. Details of the experiment and their results are here presented.

Study Design. Experimental study to characterize the influence of the cannula geometry on both, the pressure drop and the cement flow velocity established along the cannula.; Objective. To investigate how the new experimental geometry of cannulas can affect the extravertebral injection pressure and the velocity profiles established along the cannula during the injection process.; Summary of Background Data. Vertebroplasty procedure is being used to treat vertebral compression fractures. Vertebra infiltration is favored by the use of suitable: (1) syringes or injector devices; (2) polymer or ceramic bone cements; and (3) cannulas. However, the clinical use of ceramic bone cement has been limited due to press-filtering problems. Thus, new approaches concerning the cannula geometry are needed to minimize the press-filtering of calcium phosphate-based bone cements and thereby broaden its possible applications.; Methods. Straight, conic, and combined conic-straight new cannulas with different proximal and distal both length and diameter ratios were drawn with computer-assisted design software. The new geometries were theoretically analyzed by: (1) Hagen-Poisseuille law; and (2) computational fluid dynamics. Some experimental models were manufactured and tested for extrusion in order to confirm and further advance the theoretical results.; Results. The results confirm that the totally conic cannula model, having proximal to distal diameter ratio equal 2, requires the lowest injection pressure. Furthermore, its velocity profile showed no discontinuity at all along the cannula length, compared with other known combined proximal and distal straight cannulas, where discontinuity was produced at the proximal-distal transition zone.; Conclusion. The conclusion is that the conic cannulas: (a) further reduced the extravertebral pressure during the injection process; (b) showed optimum fluid flow velocity profiles to minimize filter-pressing problems, especially when ceramic cements are used; and (c) can be easily manufactured. In this sense, the new conic cannulas should favor the use of calcium phosphate bone cements in the spine.

Resumen.
Tras diseñar un sistema interno de garantía de calidad se inició el proceso de implantación. Sin embargo, este proceso se ha dilatado en el tiempo y no se ha podido finalizar todavía. Es posible que muchos de los problemas con los que nos hemos encontrado sean fallos del sistema diseñado, que no fueron previstos por el centro ni detectados por los revisores externos. La discusión sobre nuestra experiencia, contrastándola con la de otros centros puede ser una herramienta valiosa para mejorar un sistema complejo.
Abstract.
After the quality system design, implementation was the second step. However, several difficulties caused the delay in the implementation process and the system is not yet finalized. It is possible that some of the problems in the process were due to a non appropriate design or evaluation of the quality system. In our opinion, the discussion about the experience, contrasted to the other centres’ experiences could help in the improvement of the system.

The adequate characterization of the magnetization behavior of high-temperature superconductors is essential to improve the performance of superconducting devices such as motors and electrical generators. Currently, commercial finite element programs allow to analyze the response of YBCO superconducting materials, the currents induced, temperature variations, and even the mechanical stress during the magnetization process. Using a commercial finite element program, we analyze the response to a ZFC magnetization process of a YBCO pellet, which forms part of the superconducting rotor of an HTS electric motor by using pulsed magnetizing field. In this work, we report on the distribution of trapped field, critical currents, and thermal evolution in a 2D axisymmetric configuration.

The magnetization of superconducting pellets is a worth point in the development of trapped flux superconducting motors. Experimental and simulated data have been reported extensively according to the framework of one or several pulses of a homogeneous magnetizing field applied to a pellet or a set of pellets. In case of cylindrical rotors of low power motors with radial excitation, however, the use of the copper coils to produce the starting magnetization of the pellets produces a highly inhomogeneous magnetic field which cannot be reduced to a 2D standard model. In this work we present an analysis of the magnetization of the superconducting cylindrical rotor of a small motor by using a commercial FEM program, being the rotor magnetized by the working copper coils of the motor. The aim of the study is a report of the magnetization obtained and theheat generated in the HTSC pellets.

The magnetization of superconducting pellets is a worth point in the development of trapped flux superconducting motors. Experimental and simulated data have been reported extensively according to
the framework of one or several pulses of a homogeneous magnetizing field applied to a pellet or a set of pellets. In case of cylindrical rotors of low power motors with radial excitation, however, the use of the
copper coils to produce the starting magnetization of the pellets produces a highly inhomogeneous magnetic field which cannot be reduced to a 2D standard model. In this work we present an analysis of
the magnetization of the superconducting cylindrical rotor of a small motor by using a commercial FEM program, being the rotor magnetized by the working copper coils of the motor. The aim of the study is a
report of the magnetization obtained and theheat generated in the HTSC pellets.

Premi del "National University Research Council" del Ministeri d'Educació i Recerca de Romania, a autors romanesos per l'impacte de la seva recerca.

In this study, the cytocompatibility of new ‘iron-modified/alpha-tricalcium phosphate
(IM/α-TCP) and calcium sulfate dihydrate (CSD)’ bone cement (IM/α-TCP/CSD-BC)
intended for spinal applications has been approached. The objective was to investigate by direct-contact osteoblast-like cell cultures (from 1 to 14 days) the in vitro cell adhesion, proliferation, morphology and cytoskeleton organization of MG-63 cells seeded onto the new cements. The results were as follows: (a) quantitative MTT-assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that cell adhesion, proliferation and viability were not affected with time by the presence of iron in the cements; (b) double immunofluorescent labeling of F-actin and α-tubulin showed a dynamic interaction between the cell and its porous substrates
sustaining the locomotion phenomenon on the cements’ surface, which favored the
colonization, and confirming the biocompatibility of the experimental cements; (c) SEM-cell morphology and cytoskeleton observations also evidenced that MG-63 cells were able to adhere, to spread and to attain normal morphology on the new IM/α-TCP/CSD-BC which offered favorable substratum properties for osteoblast-like cells proliferation and
differentiation in vitro. The results showed that these new iron-modified cement-like
biomaterials have cytocompatible features of interest not only as possible spinal cancellous bone replacement biomaterial but also as bone tissue engineering scaffolds.

Premi del "National University Research Council" del Ministeri d'Educació i Recerca de Romania, a autors romanesos per l'impacte de la seva recerca.

In this study, the biocompatibility and the osteogenic features of a new iron-modified α-tricalcium phosphate (IM/α-TCP) and calcium sulphate dihydrate (CSD) biphasic cement (IM/α-TCP/CSD-BC) have been investigated in terms of the in vivo cement resorption, bone tissue formation and host tissue response on sheep animal model. Histological evaluation performed on undecalcified cement–bone specimens assessed the in vivo behaviour. It has been shown that the new IM/α-TCP/CSD-BC has the ability to produce firm bone binding in vivo (i.e. bioactivity). Qualitative histology proved cement biocompatibility, osteoconduction and favourable resorption, mainly through a macrophage-mediated mechanism. The results showed that the new cements have biocompatible and osteogenic features of interest as possible cancellous bone replacement biomaterial for minimally invasive spinal surgery applications.